pretext; excuse; handle
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
pretext; excuse; handle (fig.)
formalA classical or formal term. Often used when a party's action or statement provides an opponent with a formal justification for criticism or attack.
Tā他
de的
bù不
dàng当
yán言
lùn论
gěi给
duì对
shǒu手
liú留
xià下
le了
kǒu口
shí实
。
His improper remarks gave his opponent a handle.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
guǎn管
lǐ理
shàng上
de的
shū疏
hū忽
，
hěn很
róng容
yì易
chéng成
wéi为
wèn问
zé责
de的
kǒu口
shí实
。
This kind of managerial oversight can easily become a pretext for accountability.
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Bú不
yào要
shòu授
yǔ予
tā他
rén人
gōng攻
jī击
nǐ你
de的
kǒu口
shí实
。
Do not give others a pretext to attack you.
yí贻
rén人
kǒu口
shí实
to give others a handle (against oneself); to give cause for criticism